Why Cleaning Daylight Basements is Important

Daylight basements are a staple in San Francisco, both in apartment complexes and single family homes. In a condo or apartment complex, many units are located in a daylight basement. In a single family home, they provide a living space that is naturally cool even on hot days and double the living space of a home without requiring a larger lot. However, walkout basement can bring additional cleaning duties and challenges. Although they are typically fully finished and furnished, they often smell musty when not thoroughly cleaned and dehumidified. Working to unclog drains in walkabout basements can be more difficult than on higher levels in the home. Because they often boast patio doors, more mud, dirt, grass, and dust can adorn the floors and flat surfaces. Because of the increased moisture, mold and mildew and likely to surface.

Appropriate dehumidifying equipment can be of great assistance in a daylight basement. Aside from that, thorough cleaning must be performed routinely to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Bathrooms, kitchens, and wet bars are at increased risk.

Dust, mold, and mildew can cause or exacerbate health problems including headaches, sinus infections, asthma, and allergies. Concern regarding the mold and mildew in your walkout basement can cause stress and anxiety.

A few ways to prevent the growth of mold in a daylight basement include:

• Use the fan while showering or cooking to remove moisture from the home and redirect outside.
• Keep the shower curtain open when not in use to prevent the growth of mold by allowing light in and moisture out.
• Use an after-shower, no-rinse spray following each shower or, if numerous occupants shower daily, at the end of the last shower.
• Perform routine cleaning of moist areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, scrubbing with disinfectant at least weekly.
• Wash and dry the kitchen sink at the end of each day, taking special care to dry the counter and caulk around the sink.
• Do not allow wet towels or dirty laundry to lay on the floor for long; it provides a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

To prevent the mess that comes from tracking in dirt, mud, and debris from the yard, use a waterproof flooring material at the entrance with ample room to remove and store shoes. A rug with deep grooves may help remove dirt and dust in a centralized area, so fewer areas need daily cleaning. Routine vacuuming of carpeted areas or area rugs and routine sweeping and mopping of tiled or hard surface flooring will keep the mess under control.

Single family homeowners often focus on the main floor of their home, where most guests enter and leave and residents spend the majority of their time. Many busy parents and professionals are not able to dedicate enough time to their daylight basement, and it soon becomes an "off limits" area of the house when guests are present. This drastically cuts the square footage of the home when you need it most. For daylight basement apartments or condos, occupants may avoid entertaining due to the musty smell or presence of mold in the home.

Hiring a maid service to tend to your daylight basement is an ideal solution. A maid service can perform cleaning as routinely as you need to prevent and address the growth of mold as well as the musty smell. A routine cleaning may include dusting, taking out the trash, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning mirrors, dusting, cleaning countertops, cleaning the stovetop and kitchen appliances, washing dishes, cleaning the shower, cleaning the bathtub, cleaning sinks, and tidying up living areas and closets. All of these tasks lend to an organized, tidy home that smells fresh and clean.

If you keep up well with routine cleaning, you may look to a maid service for deep cleaning. A deep cleaning will include the above services along with cobweb removing, baseboard cleaning, door and knob cleaning, kitchen cabinet polishing and microwave cleaning. Additional services may be added including oven cleaning, refrigerator cleaning, finished basement cleaning, and window cleaning.

In conclusion, daylight or walkout basements can provide added benefit to a home or apartment, specifically naturally cool air on hot days and additional finished living space. However, daylight basements have unique needs in comparison to other areas of your home and must be tended to regularly and thoroughly to prevent health risks as a result of mold and mildew. Finally, busy parents or professionals who are not able to dedicate enough time to their daylight basements may find that a maid service is a great solution, meeting their cleaning needs at a rate that is well worth the cost. A cleaning service can prevent the growth of mold and mildew and manage dirt and mud tracked into a San Francisco daylight basement when used routinely.